As Ecuador ahead Enner Valencia raced by means of on Curacao’s objective contained in the opening three minutes, the end result appeared inevitable.
About 10 yards out and with simply the keeper to beat, he appeared sure to attain. It might give Curacao a mountain to climb – and, because it did within the 7-1 defeat by Germany of their World Cup opener, may effectively set the tone for what was to come back.
However goalkeeper Eloy Room anticipated the place Valencia’s shot was headed, stooped low to his left and clawed the ball across the submit. It was an inconceivable, barely plausible save.
And the tone was, certainly, set.
By full-time, BBC Sport pundit and former Arsenal defender Martin Keown was joking a calculator could be wanted to tot up the variety of instances Room had bailed his crew out.
But it was Ecuador who have been left counting the price of their missed possibilities as World Cup debutants Curacao celebrated their first-ever level within the match.
Room, the 37-year-old Miami FC keeper, produced a exceptional and record-equalling efficiency, making 15 saves to maintain his nation stage and finally safe a goalless draw which can stay lengthy within the reminiscence of the island nation.
Since information started in 1966, no goalkeeper has made extra stops in 90 minutes of World Cup motion, in keeping with Opta.
Solely Tim Howard has made as many in a single recreation however, in contrast to Room, he did not maintain a clear sheet after conceding twice in extra-time for the USA in opposition to Belgium in 2014.
Room joked after the 0-0 draw that Howard would have been “sweating at dwelling” watching the sport and his efficiency means he “wants a statue in Curacao”.
“Take a bow, Room,” added Keown on BBC One. “Completely magnificent.
“The variety of saves, you have been virtually getting a calculator out on the finish of the sport to rely them up.
“It simply grew to become a buying listing of saves. His reactions have been top notch. He appeared destined to maintain a clear sheet all evening.”
It was a efficiency that impressed Room’s nation to their biggest-ever consequence.
